Protocol for nutrient testing

[Lethal Lee]

Always test early am fasting before any meds & supps (HC & Salt water OK if you need it)

1/ Vit A,D,E & K are all fat soluble vits so I don't think any point in stopping before testing.

2/ Vit B's stop 3 days before but as stated B12 pointless to test once supplementing (rather test Urinary MMA & CBC with differential).

3/ Iron/Ferritin
a) test early am fasting
b) NO meds or supps until AFTER blood taken
c) NO Iron supps for minimum 5 days (some sources say 7 days)
d) some sources also say NO Vit C supps for minimum 5 days (some say 7 days even better) as well
e) some sources say no B12 supps for 5 days as well
f) NO high Iron foods or drinks for at least 3 days (5 days is even better)

4/ Magnesium
a) test RBC Mag NOT Serum Mag
b)test early am fasting
c) NO meds or supps until AFTER blood taken (HC & Salt water OK if you need it)

5/Potassium test Serum Potassium early am fasting no supps until after (take previous days as normal but ensure last dose at least 12 hours before)

6/DHEA
a) make sure it's DHEA-s NOT DHEA
b) if on supps I take last dose 12 hours before
c) must test early am fasting
d) should test all Androgens together (see below)

7/ Progesterone
a) make sure test ovulation+7 days if cycling
b) also test Estradiol at same time (see below)
c) if on supps I take last dose 12 hours before
d) must test early am fasting

8/ Pregnenelone
a) not sure if this is cyclical or not?
b) if on HRT suggest last dose 12 hours before
c) probably best to test with Hormones/Androgens at same time
d) test early am fasting as for other Hormones/Androgens

Note is pointless testing isolated Sex Hormones/Androgens hormones need to test ALL together to evaluate status & monitor HRT.

•Hormonal Panel (early 8am fasting overnight) includes…
If cycling usually LH, FSH tested day 3 & remainder tested ovulation + 7days (~day 21)
FSH
LH
Estradiol (E2)
Progesterone
LH/FSH Ratio

•Androgens Panel (early 8am fasting overnight) includes……
Testosterone
Free Testosterone
Bioavailable Testosterone *available USA
SHGB
FAI
DHEA-S
Androstenedione
Dehydrotestosterone (DHT) *must have for males/females optional